Motivation and Theories

Energizing:
- Activates behaviors.
- Example: Desire to be fit motivating a morning run.
Directive:
- Guides towards specific goals or needs.
- Example: Hunger motivating eating.
Persisting:
- Encourages the pursuit of goals.
- Example: Being hungry until you eat.
Variable:
- The strength of motivation varies based on psychological factors and external forces.

Drive-Reduction Theory (Hull, 1943):
- Motivation arises from biological needs, such as hunger and thirst.
- Example: When hungry, we eat to reduce discomfort.
- Critique: This theory does not explain why people seek excitement (e.g., skydiving).
Arousal Theory:
- People seek an optimal level of arousal; neither too low nor too high.
- Example: Some prefer studying in complete silence while others need background music; optimal arousal levels vary by individual.
- Yerkes-Dodson Law:
- Moderate arousal leads to the best performance.

High Performance under:
- Low Arousal = Poor Performance
- Moderate Arousal = Optimal Performance (Best)
- High Arousal = Poor Performance

Need: A state of deficiency that can be categorized into three types:
- Biological Needs: Basic survival requirements.
- Social Needs: The need for connection and relationships.
- Psychological Needs: Needs concerning self-esteem and personal growth.

Need Hierarchy: Maslow's arrangement of needs where basic survival needs must be fulfilled before higher needs can be addressed.
Self-actualization: Achieved when one’s personal dreams and aspirations are attained.
Critique: Questioning the absoluteness of the hierarchy system; not all individuals progress through stages uniformly.

Drive: A psychological state motivating an organism to satisfy a need, which helps maintain optimal biological functions.
Homeostasis: The tendency for bodily functions to maintain equilibrium.

Motivation Types:
- Motivation to perform activities directed towards external goals is termed Extrinsic Motivation.
- Incentives: External objects or goals that motivate behavior.
  - Example: Working to receive a paycheck; studying to achieve good grades.
- Motivation to perform activities due to the inherent value or pleasure is termed Intrinsic Motivation.
- Example: Listening to music; studying out of curiosity.

Extrinsic Motivation:
- Driven by outside forces such as rules and incentives.
Intrinsic Motivation:
- Driven by inside forces such as desires and curiosity.
Key Insight: People are often motivated by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

Situational Guidelines:
- Learning a new skill for fun: Use Intrinsic Motivation (foster autonomy and curiosity).
- Completing a boring but necessary task: Use Extrinsic Motivation (through deadlines and rewards).
- Encouraging long-term engagement: Use Intrinsic Motivation (through a sense of purpose or mastery).
- Getting started on a difficult task: Start with Extrinsic Motivation, then shift to Intrinsic Motivation.

Self-efficacy: Confidence in the expectation that efforts will lead to success.
Strategies:
- Relate classes to personal interests.
- Identify how classes contribute to achieving personal goals.

Achievement Motive:
- The desire to perform well relative to standards of excellence.
- Example: Caring about high scores and academic success.
- Note: Not everyone possesses this motive and that is acceptable.
Grit:
- Defined as a deep passion for one’s goals and a willingness to work towards them despite hardships.
- Example: Determination to achieve a dream job, regardless of academic performance.
- Significance: Can be a more vital predictor of achieving long-term goals compared to intelligence.